Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Independent Evaluation Office of UNDP
The UNDP Independent Evaluation Office runs the Secretariat of the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG), had been established in 2003 as the successor to the Inter-Agency Working Group on Evaluation, which was created in 1984. UNEG’s mission is to promote, strengthen and advocate for a robust, influential, independent, innovative, and credible evaluation function throughout the UN system to support decision- making, accountability and learning (see UNEG Strategy 2019-2024). To achieve its mission, UNEG’s work focuses on three Strategic Objectives:
- Develop and safeguard professional norms, standards and guidance;
- Enhance professionalization and capacity; and
- Influence policy-making and operational work through evaluations. UNEG currently has a membership of 50 organizational entities responsible for evaluation across the UN system, and partners with a number of global and regional evaluation networks.
The UNEG Programme Specialist provides the secretariat function for UNEG and plays an integral role in ensuring UNEG’s status as a professional global evaluation body by but not limited to: supporting the UNEG Chair and Executive Steering Committee; managing UNEG funds; developing and maintaining UNEG communication and knowledge management systems and tools; supporting the UNEG Working Groups in the delivery of their annual work plans; and organizing the annual UNEG EvalWeek.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations, programme, and projects staff in the IEO and UNDP HQs to resolve operational-related issues and exchange information when needed and indicated by the IEO Directorate.
Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Programme Specialist provides functional support to UNEG operational and programmatic processes, including:
I. Advise and Support to the UNEG Chair and Executive Steering Committee:
- Convene UNEG Executive Steering Committee (ESC) meetings (preparing the agenda; presenting membership-related and other UNEG-wide matters; drafting and finalising meeting minutes);
- Identify and analyze key issues potentially requiring the Chair and ESC’s attention and/ or collective action, and propose a position if needed;
- Support the UNEG Chair, ESC and the Strategic Planning Task Force in the preparation and finalization of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, (including providing strategic input to the preparation of the Strategic Plan; coordination of TF meetings; and preparing detailed meeting reports);
- Support the UNEG Chair and ESC in immediate priority communications, outreach and partnership tasks;
- Draft the UNEG Chair’s Annual Report (for presentation at the AGM), the UNEG Treasurer’s Report and the AGM Outcome Decisions document;
- Advise courses of action based on UNEG’s standard operating procedures/ ways of working; and
- Coordinate the election process for UNEG Chair and vice-Chairs.
II. Substantevely contribute to the UNEG Work Programme
- Work with the ESC and UNEG work groups to finalize and implement the annual work programme following the outcomes and decisions taken at the UNEG AGM;
- Provide support as needed for activities such as assessments, reviews, elections, surveys, member inquiries, external inquiries, etc.;
- Provide technical and operational support, conduct research, analyze issues/data as needed, draft reports and relevant documents in support of specific Strategic Objective/Working Group initiatives;
- Coordinate activities requiring consultation among UNEG’s different constituencies (members, observers, working group members, institutional partners, etc.)
- Liaise with stakeholders and partners; and
- Monitor relevant work of other networks, e.g., ECG, OECD/DAC EvalNet.
III. Effective Event Planning and Organization
- Identify viable hosts/locations for EvalWeek 2025.
- Organise and ensure the successful delivery of the UNEG Evaluation Week (EvalWeek) which includes the UNEG Annual General Meeting, Professional Development Seminar and Evaluation Practice Exchange (EPE) Seminar, in coordination and consultation with the host agency(s), ESC and EPE Organising Committee.
- Plan and organize other events (high-level events or side events), webinars and joint activities.
IV. Facilitate Effective Communication and Knowledge Management
- Manage and quality assure UNEG publications, including working with designers/editors/printers;
- Develop and implement a dissemination strategy for UNEG publications/materials;
- Produce promotional materials as needed;
- Prepare UNEG newsletters, updates, statements/letters and other communications;
- Manage membership: update emailing lists and member agency/members profiles;
- Manage the UNEG community of practice/discussion forum and Teams channel;
- Promote UNEG webinars and products;
- Liaise/coordinate with UNEG members and partners; and
- Manage UNEG social media accounts including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
V. Ensure progress reporting and monitoring of funds
- Manage the UNEG funds including:
- Issuing calls for member contributions;
- Tracking contributions; and
- Liaising with the hosting agency on contributions and transactions;
- Provide monthly updates to the UNEG Treasurer on:
- Members’ contributions;
- Budget allocation; and
- Financial transactions
VI. Ensure efficient delivery of Human Resources, IT and Procurement services
- Facilitate recruitment, contract management and other related issues in collaboration with the hosting agency.
- Manage the work of the UNEG programme assistant (part-time), located in the hosting agency.
- Lead the redevelopment of the UNEG website including: develop relevant tools databases, internal sites for work groups, calendars of events, calendar of evaluations, document repositories;
- Manage the work of the UNEG website developer (company).
- Manage the UNEG website content and databases; and
- Liaise with the hosting agency IT specialist with regards to UNEG’s online software/licenses.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement.
The Programme Specialist will be supervised by the Deputy Director, and will work in close collaboration with other IEO sections.
The Programme Specialist will work under a Home-based agreement. In the US, only nationals and permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Competencies
| Core |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies | Thematic Area | Name | Definition | | Business Development | Knowledge generation | Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant to context, or responsive to a stated need | | Finances | Budget Management | Ability to support budgetary aspect of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets | | Procurement | Procurement Management | The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source | | Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals | | Administration & Operations | Utilization of corporate credit card | Ability to ensure proper use of corporate credit card for official use; knowledge of relevant policy and procedures | | Communication | Communication | Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels. | | Business Direction & Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system | |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Experience:
| Min. Education requirements | Advanced university degree (A master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related fields is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree)in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree |
| Min. years of relevant work experience | Minimum of 7 years( with a Master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree). of relevant work experience in providing professional management support services to international programs is required. |
| Required skills | - Experience in using computer and office software packages, web-based data management systems; Microsoft Office Word, Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS, SharePoint.
- Experience using ERPs
|
| Desired skills (in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section) | - Demonstrated experience in handling time bounded large projects is an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation of development project is desirable
- Experience and knowledge of UNDP’s administrative, financial and operations processes, rules and regulations, including procurement is advantageous
- Experience and sound understanding of the functioning of UN system and different types of UN agencies is an advantage.
|
| Required Language(s) | Fluency in Engslish is required. Working knowledge of Spanish or French is advantageous |
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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